SEATTLE - When they walked off the field in Atlanta last January after blowing their chance to play for the NFC title in the final seconds, there were varying emotions in the Seattle Seahawks' locker room.

Anger, disappointment and reflection were wide spread. Some, like quarterback Russell Wilson, were peeking ahead at what appeared to be a bright future. Others never wanted to experience those emotions again.

"We never want to feel that feeling again," cornerback Richard Sherman said this week. "I think as motivated as New Orleans is from what happened to them the last time they came here, we're just as motivated from what happened in Atlanta. We don't ever want to go there and feel that feeling of regret, of disappointment, of anger, of frustration, of all those things that you felt after that game that you felt like you should have won."

The Seahawks' chance at making amends for what happened in last year's playoffs arrives Saturday when they host the New Orleans Saints in the NFC divisional playoff.

Greater expectations

Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson (3) was nearly unstoppable during his first meeting this season with linebacker David Hawthorne (57) and the New Orleans Saints, throwing for 310 yards and three touchdowns in the Seahawks' 34-7 victory Dec. 2. less

Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson (3) was nearly unstoppable during his first meeting this season with linebacker David Hawthorne (57) and the New Orleans Saints, throwing for 310 yards and three touchdowns in ... more

Photo: Jonathan Ferrey, Stringer

Photo: Jonathan Ferrey, Stringer

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Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson (3) was nearly unstoppable during his first meeting this season with linebacker David Hawthorne (57) and the New Orleans Saints, throwing for 310 yards and three touchdowns in the Seahawks' 34-7 victory Dec. 2. less

Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson (3) was nearly unstoppable during his first meeting this season with linebacker David Hawthorne (57) and the New Orleans Saints, throwing for 310 yards and three touchdowns in ... more

But now the Seahawks aren't the upstarts with little pressure and limited expectations. They are the top seed in the NFC coming off a 13-3 regular season that matched the best in franchise history and aware anything short of the Super Bowl would be a disappointment.

After having last week off, the Seahawks say they're ready for this playoff experience.

"When we first got there last year, a lot of the guys, we didn't know what to expect," receiver Doug Baldwin said. "We're just young wanting to go out there, have fun and do our best. Now we kind of expect the atmosphere we know what we're going into, and we know it's going to be amped up so we're going to be just as amped up to repeat it."

In many ways, the feelings the Seahawks had leaving Atlanta last season are similar to what the Saints felt leaving Seattle in December. The performance New Orleans put forth in a national spotlight was surprisingly unimpressive. Drew Brees was confused, Jimmy Graham was invisible, and the Saints' aggressive defense was exploited by Wilson.

The 34-7 loss to Seattle was significant in forcing the Saints into challenges they faced, having to win in Week 17 just to make the playoffs and having to spend the postseason away from the comforts of New Orleans. They passed the first two tests, beating Tampa Bay in the season finale to wrap up the No. 6 seed in the NFC then picking up the first playoff road win in franchise history, 26-24 at Philadelphia last week.

Now the Saints get a chance at redemption. The thunder of CenturyLink Field and the style Seattle plays will no longer be surprises. And there's a bit of history on the side of the Saints. Since 2005, No. 6 seeds are 5-2 against No. 1 seeds in the divisional round.

"I was just hoping we have another opportunity and here we are with that opportunity," Brees said.

Changes for both

The Saints are different - for better and worse - since that December blowout. They are more committed to running the football and had 185 yards rushing last week against the Eagles. That commitment will be tested by Seattle's No. 1-ranked defense that gave up 13 yards rushing to St. Louis the last time it was on the field. They are also better on the offensive line with the decision to replace Charles Brown at left tackle with Terron Armstead.

But New Orleans is littered with injuries, the latest being linebacker Parys Haralson lost for the season with a torn pectoral last week. Running back Pierre Thomas is also an unknown with a chest injury.

"There's going to be attrition when you look at a 16-game schedule, and you hope that you stay healthier than most, and you hope that you are able to keep most of your starters intact," New Orleans coach Sean Payton said. "We've had a handful of injuries defensively, a few on offense, and I think the key is developing the younger players, developing your backup players throughout the work week."

Seattle is also different from the first meeting, although there's no track record to know just what adding Percy Harvin to the offense will mean. Certainly the addition of Harvin - who missed all but one game of the season after hip surgery - makes Seattle more dynamic and could provide a needed boost to an offense that slumped the final four weeks of the regular season.